Mail-box.



0. J. W. GLBASON.

MAIL BOX.

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MAIL BOX.

APPLIoATIoN FILED Ammo, 1909.

Patented-sepa 13,1910.

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ODIORNE J. W. GLEASON, 0F WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

1VIAIL-BOX.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ODIORNE J. W. GLEA- son, citizen of the United States, residing at lVorcester, in the county of lVorcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented ce1'- tain new and useful Improvements in Mail- Boxes, of which the following is a Specification.

This invention relates to mail boxes and has for its object to provide a strong, durable and thoroughly efficient device of this character, the construction of which is such that different classes of mail matter deposited therein may be separated and directed, face up, into independent compartments for collection by the carrier.

A further object is to provide a mail box including` a moisture proof outer receptacle or casing having an auxiliary mail receiving receptacle pivotally mounted therein and movable laterally to open position to expose the contents thereof.

A further object is to provide the inner or auxiliary receptacle with pivotally connected trays for separating postal cards and letters and directing the same into suitable compartments arranged within said auxiliary receptacle.

A still further object of the invention is generally to improve this class of devices so as to increase their utility, durability and elliciency.

Further objects and advantages will appear in the following description, it being understood that various changes in form, proportions and minor details of construction may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims.

For a full understanding' of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction and the means for effecting the result, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of a mail box constructed in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the same; Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view showing the position of the parts when the inner or auxiliary receptacle is moved outwardly to ermit the removal of mail matter; Fig. 4L 1s a transverse sectional view taken on the line lr-ll of Fig. 2.

Corresponding and like parts are referred Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 30, 1909.

Patented Sept. 13, 1910.

Serial No. 515,261.

to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The improved mail box forming the subject matter of the present invention coinprises an outer receptacle or casing 5, preferably formed of metal and having its upper portion curved rearwardly and downwardly to assist in shedding water, and its lower portion provided .with depending feet 6 having laterally extending perforated lugs 7 for attachment to a suitable support.

Disposed within the outer receptacle or casing 5 and pivotally mounted at 8, is an inner or auxiliary receptacle, preferably formed in two sections 9 and 10 having their side walls overlapped, as shown, one of the auxiliary sections being provided with an arcuate slot 1l. adapted to receive a pin or stud 12 carried by the mating section for the purpose of limiting the relative movement of said sections.

The inner receptacle is spaced from the rear wall of the outer receptacle to form a compartment 13 adapted to receive merchandise, photos, books and other second class mail mattei', the latter being directed into the compartment 13 by means of a chute 14. The chute 111 is pivotally mounted at 15 between the side walls of the outer receptacle and is provided with an operating handle 16 by means of which the chute 14: may be tilted on its pivotal axis 15 so as to permit the merchandise to be deposited on the chute 14. Interposed between the chute 14 and the upper end of the inner receptacle, is a transversely disposed bar 17, which latter serves to reinforce and strengthen the outer casing and space the chute 14 from said inner receptacle.

The section 9 of the inner receptacle is provided with a pivoted cover 18 which forms a closure for both sections of the inner receptacle when the latter is swung inwardly, as best shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

Pivotally connected at 19 with the free end of the cover 18, is a depending lock plate or shield 20, which latter forms a housing for the upper end of the inner section 10 and thus prevents rain and snow from beating against the upper portion of the inner receptacle and obtaining access to the interior thereof.

Pivotally mounted at 21 on the inner face of the transverse lock plate or-shield 20, is a hasp 22 which engages a staple 23 carried by the outer section 10 so that the sections 9 and 10 may be locked in closed position.

Secured to the opposite side walls of the casing 5, are strap irons 24, to the free ends of which are pivotally mounted at 25, suitable locking bars 26, the inner ends of said locking bars being provided with slots 2 adapted to register with each other to permit the passage of the staple 23, the parts being retained in assembled posit-ion by a pad lock or similar fastening device 28 engaging the staple 23, as best shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

The inner receptacle of the mail box is divided by transverse partitions 29 into a plurality of compartments 30 and 31, one of which is adapted to receive postal cards and the other letters.

Pivotally mounted on the side walls of the section 10 of the inner receptacle, are co-acting trays 32 and 33 for directing the letters and postal cards into the compartments 31 and 30. The upper portion of the tray 33 is projected through an opening 34 in the outer face of the section 10 and is provided with a finger-piece 35 by means of which the tray 33 may be tilted so as to expose the opening 34 and thus permit the postal cards, letters and other first class mail matter to be deposited on said tray.

The trays 32 and 33 are pivotally connected by transverse links 36 so that when a downward pressure is exerted on the finger piece 35, the trays will be moved to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, and when the pressure is removed from the finger piece 35,-said trays will assume the full line position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

The tray 33 is provided with a division plate 37 so as to direct the postals and letters into the proper compartments, face side up. By having the trays 32 and 33 pivotally connected in the manner described, the rear tray 32 by engagement with the lower or free edge of the front tray 33, will retain the letters face up on the tray 33 so that when the linger piece 35 is released, said mail matter will be deposited face up in the compartments 30 and 31.

The upper transverse edge of the casing 5 is provided with an overhanging flange 3S to prevent rain and snow from beating into the chute 14, there being similar reinforcing flanges 39 formed on the transverse bar 27, as shown.

In order to remove the letters and other mail matter from the mail box, the guard or shield 20 is swung upwardly and the locking device 38 removed, after which the locking bars 26 are swung laterally to inoperative position and the inner receptacle swung outwardly on the pivot 8. Vhen the inner receptacle is swung outwardly the cover 18 thereofl may be elevated and the section 10 of said inner receptacle swung laterally until its outward movement is limited by the pin 12, thus exposing the contents of the inner receptacle and permitting the letter carrier to remove the mail matter from the compartments 30 and 31.

Y In order to permit the removal of books and other merchandise deposited in the compartment 13, it is merely necessary to move the inner receptacle downwardly on its pivotal axis 8 when the letter carrier may reach within the compartment 13 and conveniently remove said merchandise.

It will here be noted that the fastening device 28, by engagement with the staple 23, serves to lock the sections 9 and 10 of the inner receptacle, together with the cover thereof, in closed or assembled position, and also serves to retain the inner receptacle within the outer receptacle or casing 5.

hile the device is shown provided with supporting feet, it will of course be understood that the feet may be dispensed with and the mail box supported on a wall, bracket or other support without departing 'from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A mail box including a casing, an inner receptacle pivotally mounted within the casing a fastening device carried by the inner receptacle, and locking bars pivotally mounted on the opposite ends of the casing and extending transversely across the front of said casing for engagement with the fastening device.

2. A mail box including a casing, a sectional mail receiving receptacle pivotally mounted for lateral movement within the casing and having a pivoted top forming a closure for both sections of said receptacle, a fastening device carried by one of the sections of the mail receptacle, and locking bars pivotally mounted on the opposite ends of the casing and extending transf versely across said casing for engagement with the fastening device.

A mail box including a casing, a receptacle pivotally mounted within the casing and formed of pivotally connected sections, a cover carried by one of the sections, a shield depending from the free end of the cover, a hasp pivotally connected with the shield, a fastening deviceicarried by the other section of the receptacle, and locking bars pivotally mounted on the casing and adapted to engage said fastening device.

4. A mail box including a casing, a receptacle pivotally mounted within the casing and formed of pivotally connected sections, a cover pivotally mounted on one of said sections and adapted to form a closure for both sections, u staple Secured to the gage the staple to permit the insertion of a 10 mating section of the receptacle, locking locking device.

bars pivotally mounted on the casing and In testimony whereof I nfiix my signature provided with terminal slots adapted to in presence of two witnesses.

register with each other to permit the passage of the staple, a transverse lock plate ODIORNE J' W' GLEASM' [1" S] depending from the free end of the cover, lVtnesses: and a hasp pivotally mounted on the inner ALFRED H. SAMSON, face of the lock plate and adapted to en- J. ELMER HALL. 

